Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “wind profile”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1999

User's Guide for Monthly Vector Wind Profile Model

The background, theoretical concepts, and methodology for construction of vector wind profiles based on a statistical model are presented. The derived monthly vector wind profiles are to be applied by the launch vehicle design community for establishing realistic estimates of critical vehicle design parameter dispersions related to wind profile dispersions. During initial studies a number of months are used to establish the model profiles that produce the largest monthly dispersions of ascent vehicle aerodynamic load indicators. The largest monthly dispersions for wind, which occur during the winter high-wind months, are used for establishing the design reference dispersions for the aerodynamic load indicators. This document includes a description of the computational process for the vector wind model including specification of input data, parameter settings, and output data formats. Sample output data listings are provided to aid the user in the verification of test output.

Adelfang, S. I.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Colorado wind profilers

The Wave Propagation Laboratory (WPL) has operated a network of wind profiling radars in Colorado. The current configuration of the network is described. All radars operate continuously and unattended to supply hourly-averaged wind profiles to a central computer in Boulder in real time. The hardware and software changes made to improve reliability are discussed. This research network will continue to be used to provide wind profiles for operational and research meteorologists and the performance of various wavelength systems will be evaluated.

Strauch, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Mean horizontal wind profiles measured in the atmospheric boundary layer about a simulated block building

Instrumented wind towers are used to measure the three components of wind about a simulated block building. The mean horizontal wind profiles over the building are compared with wind profiles measured in the absence of the building and the wind speed deficit in the wake of the building is correlated. The turbulence intensity is of the order of 20% in the undisturbed flow whereas the free stream turbulence intensity of wind-tunnel studies is generally not more than 5%. The velocity profiles measured in the undisturbed flow zones support the representation of a neutrally stable atmospheric boundary layer with a logarithmic wind profile.

Frost, W.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Calibrated Radar Wind Profiler (RWP) Moments

The SGP Central Facility (C1) radar wind profiler (RWP) was calibrated using nearby surface disdrometer observations. Between 2011 and 2019, the SGP C1 RWP operated in two modes. The vertically pointing mode (named the precipitation mode) transmitted a short and long pulse length to have two different range resolutions and the beam-swinging mode (named the wind mode) transmitted one pulse length into three different beam directions. The precipitation-mode observations were available and calibrated from April 2011 through mid-August 2019. The wind-mode observations were available and calibrated between April 2014 and March 2019. The RWP spectra were processed to account for Nyquist velocity aliasing and coherent integration filtering effects before calculating the spectrum moments. During intense precipitation events, the calculated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is biased low due to signal power being distributed across the velocity spectrum such that some signal power is erroneously included in the noise level estimate, causing the noise level to be biased high. To correct for the low SNR bias, a new noise level is estimated using observations without precipitation and the SNR is increased accordingly. The adjusted SNR was converted to radar reflectivity factor and then calibrated against a nearby surface disdrometer. The calibration methodology is fully described in: Williams, CR, J Barrio, PE Johnston, P Muradyan, and S Giangrande. 2023. “Calibrating radar wind profiler reflectivity factor using surface disdrometer observations.” Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2023/egusphere-2022-1405/

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1993

Vertical velocity in cirrus case obtained from wind profiler

Cirrus clouds play an important role in the climate and general circulation because they significantly modulate the radiation properties of the atmosphere. However understanding the processes that govern their presence is made difficult by their high altitude, variable thickness, complex microphysical structure, and relatively little knowledge of the vertical motion field. In the FIRE 2 (First International Satellite Cloud Climatology Regional Experiment) experiment, a 404 MHz wind profiler was set up to provide continuous measurements of clear air wind field at Parsons, Kansas. Simultaneously, the NOAA wind profiler network supplied a wider spacial scale observation. On 26 Nov. 1991, the most significant cirrus cloud phenomena during the experiment with a jet streak at 250 Mb occurred. Analyses of the vertical wind velocity are made by utilizing different methods based on wind profiler data, among them the direct measurements from CSU wind profiler and NOAA network wind profilers, VAD (Velocity Azimuth Display) technique and the kinematic method.

Song, Ran↗
NASA NTRS1984

Progress and plans for the Colorado Wind Profiler Network

Since January 1983, the Wave Propagation Laboratory (WPL) has placed four wind profiling radars in operation. These radars and the Platteville radar (originally developed by the Aeronomy Laboratory (AL0 and jointly operated by AL and WPL for several years) form the Colorado Wind Profiler Network. Plans and improvements for the Colorado Wind Profilers are summarized.

Strauch, R. G.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluating wind profiles in a numerical weather prediction model with Doppler lidar

We use Doppler lidar wind profiles from six locations around the globe to evaluate the wind profile forecasts in the boundary layer generated by the operational global Integrated Forecast System (IFS) from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The six locations selected cover a variety of surfaces with different characteristics (rural, marine, mountainous urban, and coastal urban). We first validated the Doppler lidar observations at four locations by comparison with co-located radiosonde profiles to ensure that the Doppler lidar observations were of sufficient quality. The two observation types agree well, with the mean absolute error (MAE) in wind speed almost always less than 1 m s –1 . Large deviations in the wind direction were usually only seen for low wind speeds and are due to the wind direction uncertainty increasing rapidly as the wind speed tends to zero. Time–height composites of the wind evaluation with 1 h resolution were generated, and evaluation of the model winds showed that the IFS model performs best over marine and coastal locations, where the mean absolute wind vector error was usually less than 3 m s –1 at all heights within the boundary layer. Larger errors were seen in locations where the surface was more complex, especially in the wind direction. For example, in Granada, which is near a high mountain range, the IFS model failed to capture a commonly occurring mountain breeze, which is highly dependent on the sub-grid-size terrain features that are not resolved by the model. The uncertainty in the wind forecasts increased with forecast lead time, but no increase in the bias was seen. At one location, we conditionally performed the wind evaluation based on the presence or absence of a low-level jet diagnosed from the Doppler lidar observations. The model was able to reproduce the presence of the low-level jet, but the wind speed maximum was about 2 m s –1 lower than observed. This is attributed to the effective vertical resolution of the model being too coarse to create the strong gradients in wind speed observed. Our results show that Doppler lidar is a suitable instrument for evaluating the boundary layer wind profiles in atmospheric models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1979

Vector wind profile gust model

Work towards establishing a vector wind profile gust model for the Space Transportation System flight operations and trade studies is reported. To date, all the statistical and computational techniques required were established and partially implemented. An analysis of wind profile gust at Cape Kennedy within the theoretical framework is presented. The variability of theoretical and observed gust magnitude with filter type, altitude, and season is described. Various examples are presented which illustrate agreement between theoretical and observed gust percentiles. The preliminary analysis of the gust data indicates a strong variability with altitude, season, and wavelength regime. An extension of the analyses to include conditional distributions of gust magnitude given gust length, distributions of gust modulus, and phase differences between gust components has begun.

Adelfang, S. I.↗
NASA NTRS1992

High temporal resolution velocity estimates from the NASA 50 MHz wind profiler

A three-point medium filter for wind profiling radar has been found which, when applied to successive spectral data, effectively eliminates most spurious echoes from the data while improving SNRs. When combined with velocity calculations using a first guess, the result is a robust system that can extract high-quality wind profiles at three-minute intervals. The velocity computation methodology is described and its performance is illustrated using two sample data sets taken during very different synoptic regimes. Operational considerations are discussed.

Wilfong, Timothy L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Airborne Wind Profiling Algorithms for the Pulsed 2-Micron Coherent Doppler Lidar at NASA Langley Research Center

Two versions of airborne wind profiling algorithms for the pulsed 2-micron coherent Doppler lidar system at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia are presented. Each algorithm utilizes different number of line-of-sight (LOS) lidar returns while compensating the adverse effects of different coordinate systems between the aircraft and the Earth. One of the two algorithms APOLO (Airborne Wind Profiling Algorithm for Doppler Wind Lidar) estimates wind products using two LOSs. The other algorithm utilizes five LOSs. The airborne lidar data were acquired during the NASA's Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) campaign in 2010. The wind profile products from the two algorithms are compared with the dropsonde data to validate their results.

Beyon, Jeffrey Y.↗
NASA NTRS2018

High Temporal Resolution Tropospheric Wind Profile Observations at NASA Kennedy Space Center During Hurricane Irma

The NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) operates a 48-MHz Tropospheric/Stratospheric Doppler Radar Wind Profiler (TDRWP) on a continual basis generating wind profiles between 2-19 km in the support of space launch vehicle operations. A benefit of the continual operability of the system is the ability to provide unique observations of severe weather events such as hurricanes. Over the past two Atlantic Hurricane seasons the TDRWP has made high temporal resolution wind profile observations of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Hurricane Irma was responsible for power outages to approximately 2/3 of Florida's population during its movement over the state(Stein,2017). An overview of the TDRWP system configuration, brief summary of Hurricanes Irma and Matthew storm track in proximity to KSC, characteristics of the tropospheric wind observations from the TDRWP during both events, and discussion of the dissemination of TDRWP data during the event will be presented.

Decker, Ryan K.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Tropospheric Wind Profile Measurements with a Direct Detection Doppler Lidar

Research has established the importance of global tropospheric wind measurements for large scale improvements in numerical weather prediction. In addition, global wind measurements provide data that are fundamental to the understanding and prediction of global climate change. These tasks are closely linked with the goals of the NASA Earth Science Enterprise and Global Climate Change programs. NASA Goddard has been actively involved in the development of direct detection Doppler lidar methods and technologies to meet the wind observing needs of the atmospheric science community. In this paper we describe a recently developed prototype wind lidar system using a direct detection Doppler technique for measuring wind profiles from the surface through the troposphere. This system uses a pulsed ND:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm as the transmitter. The laser pulse is directed to the atmosphere using a 40 cm diameter scan mirror. The portion of the laser energy backscattered from aerosols and molecules is collected by a 40 cm diameter telescope and coupled via fiber optics into the Doppler receiver. Single photon counting APD's are used to detect the atmospheric backscattered signal. The principle element of the receiver is a dual bandpass tunable Fabry Perot etalon which analyzes the Doppler shift of the incoming laser signal using the double edge technique. The double edge technique uses two high resolution optical filters having bandpasses offset relative to one another such that the 'edge' of the first filter's transmission function crosses that of the second at the half power point. The outgoing laser frequency is located approximately at the crossover point. Due to the opposite going slopes of the edges, a Doppler shift in the atmospheric backscattered laser frequency produces a positive change in signal for one filter and a negative change in the second filter. Taking the ratio of the two edge channel signals yields a result which is directly proportional to the component of the wind along the line-of-sight of the laser. Measuring the radial wind in several directions provides sufficient information to determine the true wind speed and direction. The lidar has operated from our laboratory at Goddard since June, 1997. Wind profiles have been obtained to altitudes of 12 km with a vertical resolution of 330 in. Vector wind data are obtained by rotating the scan mirror to measure line-of-sight wind profiles for at least two azimuth angles at an elevation angle of 45 degrees. The precision of the data as determined from the standard deviation of multiple independent lidar profiles is in the range of 1 to 3 m/sec up to 10 km. Good agreement is obtained when the lidar data are compared with the upper air rawinsonde soundings taken at Dulles airport. Examples of the wind lidar data will be presented along with a description of the instrument and future developments.

Gentry, Bruce M.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Doppler Lidar Measurements of Tropospheric Wind Profiles Using the Aerosol Double Edge Technique

The development of a ground based direct detection Doppler lidar based on the recently described aerosol double edge technique is reported. A pulsed, injection seeded Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm is used to make range resolved measurements of atmospheric winds in the free troposphere. The wind measurements are determined by measuring the Doppler shift of the laser signal backscattered from atmospheric aerosols. The lidar instrument and double edge method are described and initial tropospheric wind profile measurements are presented. Wind profiles are reported for both day and night operation. The measurements extend to altitudes as high as 14 km and are compared to rawinsonde wind profile data from Dulles airport in Virginia. Vertical resolution of the lidar measurements is 330 m and the rms precision of the measurements is a low as 0.6 m/s.

Gentry, Bruce M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Wind profiler data in a mesoscale experiment from a meteorological perspective

During May and June of 1985, the Oklahoma-Kansas Preliminary Regional Experiment of STORM-Central (OK PRE-STORM) was carried out, with the major objectives of learning more about mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and gaining experience in the use of new sensing systems and measurement strategies that will improve the design of STORM-Central. Three 50-MHz wind profilers were employed in a triangular array with sides about 275 km. It is far too soon to report any results of this effort, for it has barely begun. The purpose here is to show some examples of the data, some of the surrounding conventional data, and to discuss some of the issues important to meteorologists in evaluating the contribution of the profiler data. The case of 10 to 11 June 1985, featuring a major squall line system which crossed the dense observing network from northwest to southeast, passing the Liberal site about 2230 GMT/10 June, the McPherson site about 0100 GMT/11 June, and Wichita about 0300 GMT/11 June is discussed. Radar and satellite data show that the system was growing rapidly when it passed Liberal, and was large and mature when it passed through McPherson and Wichita. The radar depiction of the system during this stage is given, with the McPherson site in the intense convective echoes near the leading edge at 01 GMT and in the stratiform precipitation at 03 GMT. The profiler wind data for a 9-hour period encompassing the squall line passage at each site are given.

Zipser, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Wind profiler demonstration system

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has started procurement of a 30-station demonstration network of Doppler radar wind profilers to be deployed in the central United States by 1989. The purposes of this demonstration network are: (1) to assess the impact of a large wind profiler network on meteorological forecasting; (2) to test wind profiler hardware designed specifically for commercial production and widespread deployment; and (3) to provide wind data for research programs involving weather phenomena in the central United States.

Chadwick, R. B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

NANT Site - NOAA Radar Wind Profiler / Raw Data

This dataset contains data from a NOAA Radar Wind Profiler located on Nantucket island. Data can be found at https://psl.noaa.gov/data/obs/datadisplay/ with the following filters: Active Sites: nte Instrument: 915 MHz Wind Profiler Product: Radar 915MHz Sub-Hourly Weber Wuertz Wind

17 WIND ENERGY↗